Drawbar-yoke



G. C. MURRAY.

DRAWBAR YOKE.

. APLlcMloN FILED MAR. 18, 1918.

I 1 ,370,702. Patented Mar. 8, 1921.

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G.. C. MURRAY.

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W Q pw UNITED STATES GEORGE C. MURRAY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DnAwBAR-YOKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. l8, 1921.

Application led March 18, 1918. Serial No. 223,087.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE C. MURRAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and use- 7' rul Improvements 1n Drawbar-i okes7 of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved yoke for connecting the usual draft gear mechanism of railway cars with the drawbar or coupler, and the purpose of the invention is to provide novel means for connecting the yoke and draw-bar, and for adapting a dra\v-b'ar of reduced size to a yoke having dimensions adapted to those of the usual draft gear mechanism.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an improved yoke having means carried by the lower wall thereof to engage and support the coupler butt, in combination with improved means located forwardly of the coupler butt for engaging the shoulders thereof. A further object is to provide improved means for Fconnecting a coupler butt vof relatively small size to a draft yoke of larger dimensions by means adapted to maintain the renter line of draft coincident with the longitudinal axis of the yoke. A further objectis to provide a yoke having ahooded forward end to receive a shouldered coupler butt7 in combination with means for supporting the coupler butt on the lower yoke arm, and a movable member adapted to be tilted to operative position after the coupler butt has been inserted in order to engage one of the shoulders thereof and maintain the roupler butt within the yoke. Other objects relate to various features of construction and arrangement which will be set forth more fully hereinafter.

The nature of the invention will be understood from the following specification, takenin connection with the accompanying drawings in which two embodiments are illustrated.- In the drawings- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the yoke and draw-bar with the forward end of the yoke shown in section on the line 1-1 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the yoke and draw-bar with a part of theV yoke shown in horizontal section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the movable gib or block which engages one of the shoulders of the draw-bar butt;

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 1, illustrating the method of inserting the drawbar butt into the yoke, and of moving the retaining gib into operative position after the draw-bar butt'has been inserted;

Fig. 5 shows a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 shows a front elevation of the draw-bar and yoke after the gib has been removed to operative position as illustrated in Fig.1;and v Fig. 7 shows a side elevationof a modified form of yoke. y u

In the drawings the invention is shown as comprising a yoke having upper and lower arms or straps 10 and 1l, respectively, connected at their rear ends by the integrally formed rear wall 12. The upper and lower arms 10 and 11 are increased in width at their forward ends', as illustrated particularly in Figs. 2, 5, and 6, and these enlarged portions of the arms are connected by integrally formed side walls 13, whereby the yoke is provided with a hooded forward end adapted to receive the draw-bar or coupler 14, having the shouldered butt leiat and the shank 14".

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the distance measured vertizY ally between the arms 10 and 11 is greater than the vertical dimension of the coupler butt 14, and the yoke is provided with means whereby a draft gear, having the usual ver-- tical dimensions to lit between the arms of the yoke, may be connected with a draw-bar having reduced dimensions, thereby saving great expense and weight in the equipment of cars. For this purpose the forward end 10 of the upper arm 10 is inclined downwardly and forwardly, and carries at its forward` end an integrally formed transversely extending fiange 15 adapted to coaet with the upper shoulder 16 of the drawbar butt, and the arm is reinforced opposite the flange 15 by a transverse rib 17 on the upper side of the yoke. In order to strengthen the inclined portion 10a of the upper wall and to provide a. bearing for the top surface of the coupler butt, longitudinal ribs 19 are formed on the underside of the inclined portion 10"1 and extend downwardly therefrom being provided with horizontal lower surfaces lying parallel to the longitudinal axis of the draw-bar. The rear ends of the ribs 19 are inclined upwardly as shown at 19 to provide clearance for insertion of the coupler butt. V'Vhen the coupler butt is in its normal position, asillustrated in Fig. l, the lower surface thereof contacts with the upper surface of a supporting `at 11a, and then directed horizontally, as

shown at 11b. The forward end of the portion 11b is provided with an upwardly extending transverse ange or shoulder 22, and at each end of the flange 22 are lugs 23 formed integrally with the side wall and the lowerrwall, whereby the flange 22 and the lugs 23 serve as retaining means for a gib or y block 24, which is adapted to coact with the i rearward-ly of the fiange V.lugs are provided, placed on opposite lower shoulder 18 of the draw-bar butt. The gib or vblock 24 is wedge shaped in vcross section, as shown in Figs. l and 3, being adapted to coact with the forwardly and upwardly inclined surfaces of the flange 22 and lugs 23 to maintain the opposite side thereof in a vertical plane to engage the vertically extending lower shoulder of the butt 14a. The lower edge of the block 24 is provided with a rounded or arcuate surface 241adapted to coact with the bearing formed by the portion lll ofthe lower wall and the lugs 25 whi`ch are formed integrally therewith and extend in an upward dircttion Two of the sides of the' center line of the yoke, and the rear face of the block 24 is hollowed out, as shown at 24, to form two depressions adapt ed to receive the lugs when the block 24 is tilted to an inoperative horizontal position, as illustrated in Fig. 4. The side walls 13 of the yoke are provided with small slots 26 located below the level of the lower surface of the coupler butt and adapted to receive a small key 27 having one end thereof` bent downwardly, as shown .at 27a, and which,

after being inserted, has the other end 27b thereof bent transversely so that it is retained in fixed position. This key 27 has no strain exerted upon it, but serves merely to prevent the block 24 from tilting rearwardly when the coupler butt slides rearf'ardly within the yoke on the abutment 2O in normal operation. The lower wall of the yoke is provided with a centrally located been inserted.-

In order to insert the coupler butt into the yoke it is necessary to tilt it downwardly and forwardly, as illustrated by dotted lines in Fig.' 4, whereupon it may b e pushed upwardly into the yoke over the flange 22, the block 24, and the abutment 20. rllhe parts of the yoke are so proportioned that the uppermost parts of theflange 22, block 24, and abutment 20 are spaced from the nearest opposed parts of the flange l5 and ribs 19 a distance somewhat greater than the vertical dimension of the coupler butt. The inclined surfaces 19 on the ribs 19 eX- tend forwardlya sufficient distance to provide the necessary clearance betweenthe ribs and. the abutment 20. After the upper shoulder of the butt 14a has cleared the shoulder l5, the draw-bar maybe tilted to its normal horizontal position with the butt thereof restingV upon the abutment 20, as illustrated by full lines in Fig.` 4. A tool may then be inserted through the aperture 28, and the gib 24 pushed up to its normal `position, illustrated by dotted lines in that fleure, after which the key 2'? may be in- V serted.y The draw-bar butt is then retained. securely within the yoke, and, as the draft gear is compressed in normal operation, it slides on the abutment 20, and the forward draft is transmitted to the yoke through the shoulder 15 and through the gib 24, which lies against the flange 22 and the lugs 23. It will Ybe observed that the lugs 23 are spaced apart sufliciently topermit the coupler butt Vto pass between them, and they perform the function of reinforcing the lower part of the yoke and of providing additional support for the gib 24.

ln this improved yoke, which is formed preferably of cast steel, a hooded forward end is provided in combination with means .formed integrally with the yoke for ing the same to a coupler butt hai-fing a smaller vertical dimension. This advantageous feature is combined with means for detachably securingthe coupler butt in the yoke, which permits it to be readily inserted or withdrawn from the forward end of the yoke. rlChe invention can therefore be adapted to draft gear mechanism of the usual dimensions without employing heavy or costly draw-bars7 and at the same time the coupler butt rides directly upon an integral part of the yoke-arm, so that there are no parts to become loose or out of order as the coupler butt slides rearwardly in the yoke in normal operation. A further advantage is that no holes or slots are made in the walls of the hooded end of the yoke except a very small aperture to permit manipulation of the gib, so that the draft stresses are trans mitted to the yoke through the integral forward end thereof without concentrating the load upon any particular detailed part of the yoke. The upper and lower walls of the yoke are inclined at relatively small angles with respect to the body portions of these arms, and are so designed that the pulling stresses tend merelyv to increase the pressure of the arms on the coupler butt and not to distort or weaken the arms of the yoke themselves. Various other advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art without specific description herein.

In F ig. T l have shown a modified form of yoke designated generally by the numeral SO, this yoke being in all respects the 'une in construction as the yoke illustrated in the other figures of the drawings, except that the side walls or wings 31, which unite the forward ends of the Yupper and lower walls, are increased in size longitudinally of the yoke, and provided with key-holes 32 located in alinement `with a key-hole extending through the draw-bar 33 on the longitudinal anis thereof. A key 34 is adapted to pass through the key-holes 32 and through the alining aperture in the draw-bar, and the key is also extended preferably through the longitudinal sills of the car on opposite sides of the yoke. In this construction Vthe pulling strain transmitted through the drawbar is divided between the key 34 and the upper and lower shoulders carried b v the yoke and engaging the upper and lower shoulders of the draw-bar butt.

Although I have shown and described certain embodiments of the invention for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that it may he constructed in various different forms without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Nhat l claim is:

l. The combination with a yoke having upper and lower arms united at their forward ends by integral side walls, of a drawbar provided with a shouldered butt adapted to be inserted into said yoke from the forward end thereof, said butt having a smaller vertical dimension than the distance between said arms, ribs forme-d integrally with the inner sides of said arms and extending inwardly therefrom to engage the upper and lower surfaces of said draw-barv butt, and a removable block for holding said butt within said yoke after it has been inserted.

2. The combination with a yoke having upper and lower arms united at their for ward ends by integral side walls, of a drawbar insertible from the forward end of said yoke provided with a shouldered buttfhaving a smaller vertical dimension than the distance between said arms, and means formed integrally with the forward ends of said arms and extending inwardly therefrom to engage the upper' and lower surfaces of said draw-bar butt.

The combination with a yoke having upper and lower arms, of a draw-bar provided with a butt having a smaller vertical dimension than the distance between said arms, the forward end of said upper arm being inclined downwardly, a rib on the under side of said inclined portion having a lower surface to conformv to the upper surface of said butt, and .means formed integrally with the lower` wall of said yoke and extending upwardly therefrom for engaging the under-side of said butt.

fl. The combination with a yoke having upper and lower arms, of a draw-bar provided with a shouldered butt having a smaller vertical dimension than the distance between said arms, the forward end of said upperl arm being 'inclined downwardly, a. rib on the under-side of said inclined portion, an abutment formed integrally with the lower arm of said yoke and extending upwardly therefrom to support said coupler butt above said lower arm, and means carried at the forward end of said armsjr'or engaging the shoulders of said butt.

The combination with a yoke having 'upper and lower arms, of a draw-bar provided with a shouldered butt having a smaller vertical dimension than the distance between said arms, the forward end of said upper arm having an integral part offset downwardly to engage the upper surface of said butt, said lower arm having a part formed integrally therewith and extending upwardly therefrom to coact with the lower surface of said butt, means carried at the forward end of said upper arm to engage the upper shoulder of said butt, and a movable member located forwardly of said upwardly projecting part on the lower arm for retaining said butt in said yoke.

6. lThe combination with a yoke having upper and lower arms, of a draw-bar provided with a shouldered butt having a smaller vertical dimension than the distance between said arms, means formed integrally with said arms for positioning` saidy butt midway between said arms, a fixed flange carried by one of said arms for engaging one shoulder of said butt, and movable means carried by the other arm for engaging the other shoulderof said butt.

7. The combination with a yoke having upper and lower arms, of a draw-bar provided with a shouldered butt having a smaller vertical dimension than the distance between said arms, means forme-d integrally with said arms for positioning said butt midway between said arms, a fixed flange carried by one of said arms for engaging one shoulder of said butt, and a-inovable ib carried by the other arm of said yoke or engaging the other shoulder of said butt,

Said gib being movable to an inoperative position only after said but has been displaced rearwardly in said yoke.

8. The combination with a yoke having upper and lower arms and a hooked forward end, of a draw-bar having a Shoaldered butt adapted to be received within said hooded end, said lower arm having an integral part adapted to engage and support said butt, means carried by said yoke for engaging one shoulder of said butt, and a movable `gib insertible from the front end of the yoke and adapted to be tilted into position to engage the other shoulder' of said butt after the latter has been inserted in said yoke.

9. The combination with a yoke having upper and lower; armsand a hooded forward end, of a draw-bar having a'shouldered butt adapted to be received within said hooded end7 said lower arm having a part adapted to engage and support said butt, means carried by said yoke for engaging one shoulder of said butt, said yoke being provided with a lug adjacent the other shoulder of said butt, and a movable gib adapted to be tilted forwardly against said lug of said yoke to engage said other shoulder of said butt after said butt has been displaced rearwardly in said yoke on said lower arm.

10. The combination with a yoke having upper and lower arms and a hooded forward end, of a draw-bar having a shouldered butt adapted to be received within said hooded end, said lower arm having an integral part adapted to engage and support said butt, means carried by said yoke.

for engaging one shoulder of said butt, a movable gib adapted to be tilted into position to engage the other shoulder of said butt after the latter has been inserted in said yoke, and means for preventing reverse movement of said gib after it has been moved to butt-engaging position.

11. The combination with a yoke having upper and lower arms and a hooded forward end, of a draw-bar provided with a shouldered butt adapted to be received within said hooded end, a flange depending from the upper part of said hooded end to engage the upper shoulder of said butt, said lower arm carrying'an integral part adapted to engage and support said butt, retainingr shoulders formed integrally with the forward end of said lower arm, and a movable gib insertible from the forward end of said yoke and'adapted to be tilted into position against said retaining shoulders to engage the lower shoulder of said draw-bar butt.

12. The combination in a yoke having upper and lower arms united at their forward ends by integral side walls forming a hood, of a draw-bar having` a shouldered butt adapted to be received in said hood, `said butt having al smaller vertical dimension than the distance between said arms, means carried by the upper and lower walls of said hood for positioning' said butt midway between said upper and lower walls, and additional means located forwardly of said lastnamed means to retain said butt in said yoke, said last-named means being capable of operation to release said butt only after the latter has been displaced rearwardly inv said yoke.

13. The combination with a yoke having upper and lower arms united at their forward ends by integral side walls forminga hood, of a draw-bar having ay shoulderedy butt adapted to be received within said hood from the forward end thereof, said butt having a smaller vertical dimension than the distance between said arms, means formed integrallv with said arms to position said butt midway between said arms, and other means for lretaining said butt in said yoke and transmitting' draft strains from the draw-bar to the yoke.

14. The combination with a yoke having; upper and lower arms and a hooded for ward end, of a draw-bar having a shouldered butt adapted to be received within said hooded end, means carried by said hooded end to engage one shoulder of said butt, and a movable `rib adapted-to be tilted into a position to engage. the other shoulder of said butt, said gib being capable ,of being tilted to inoperative position within said yoke to release said butt only after the latter has been displaced rearwardly in said yoke.

l5. The lcombination witha yoke havingf upper and lower arms and a hooded forward end, of a draw-bar having a shouldered butt adapted to be received within said hooded end., means carried by said hooded end to engage one shoulder of said butt, and a movable Uibhoused within said hooded end and adaptedto be tilted into a position to engage the other shoulder of said butt, said gib beine capable of being tilted to inoperative position to release said butt only after Ythe latter has-been displaced rearwardly in said yoke, said lower arm having an integral part adapted to engage and support said butt.

16. The combination with a yoke having upper and lower arms and a hooded forward end, of a draw-barl provided with a shouldered butt adapted to be received within said hooded end, aliange carried at the forward end of said upper arm to engage the upper shoulder of ysaid butt, another :flange carried at the forward end of the lower arm of said yoke, and a movable gib seated within said forward end and adapted to be tilted about its lower edge to a position aoainst said last-named flanve to engage the lower shoulder of said butt.

1T. The combination with a yoke having upper and lower arms and a hooded forward end, of a draw-bar provided with a shouldered butt adapted to be received within said hooded end, a flange carried at the forward end of said upper arm to engage the upper shoulder of said butt, another flange carried at the forward end of the lower arm of said yoke, and a movable gib seated with in said forward end and adapted to be tilted about its lower edge to a position against said last-named flange to engage the lower shoulder of said butt, the lower wall of said hooded portion having an aperture therethrough to permit manipulation of said gib.

18. The combination with a yoke having upper and lower arms and a hooded forward end, of a draw-bar provided with a shouldered butt adapted to be received within said hooded end, a flange carried at the forward end of said upper arm to engage the upper shoulder of said butt, another flange carried at the forward end of the lower arm of Said yoke, and a movable gib seated within said forward end and adapted to be tilted about its lower edge to a position against said last-named flange to engage the lower shoulder of said butt, said Gib being capable of being tilted rearwardly to release said butt only after the latter has been displaced rearwardly in said yoke. v

i9. The combination with a yoke having upper and lower arms and a hooded forward end, of a draw-bar provided with a shouldered butt adapted to be received within said hooded end, said butt having a smaller vertical dimension than the distance between said arms, the forward end of said upper arm being offset downwardly, a rib on the under-side of the forward end of said upper arm to form a seat for the upper surface of said coupler butt, the rear end of said rib being inclined upwardly, a supporting member formed integrally with said lower arm and extending upwardly therefrom to engage and support said 'coupler butt, and means carried at the forward ends of said upper and lower arms for retaining said butt within said yoke, the distance between the forward ends of said upper and lower arms and the distance between said rib and said supporting member being sufhcient to permit insertion of said coupler butt when the latter is tilted in a vertical plane.

20. The combination with a yoke having upper and lower arms united at the forward ends by integral side walls forming a hood, of a draw-bar having a shouldered butt adapted to'be inserted in said hood, the forward portions of said upper and lower arms being inclined downwardly and said butt having a smaller vertical dimension than the distance between the body portions of said arms, a rib formed on the under-side of the inclined portion of said upper arm, a supporting member formed integrally with the lower arm of said yoke and-extending upwardly therefrom to support said butt, said supporting member and said rib being adapted to position said but-t midway between said arms, flanges formed integrally with the forward ends of said upper and lower arms and extending inwardly therefrom said flange of said upper arm being adapted to engage the upper shoulder of said butt, and a movable member adapted to be moved to position against said flange car ried by said lower arm to engage the lower shoulder of said butt, the space between said flanges and the space between said rib and said supporting member being sufficient to permit insertion of said butt when the same is tilted in a vertical plane with said movable member in an operative position.

In testimony whereof I have subscribed my name.

GEORGE C. MURRAY. 

